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Beverly Woods
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Principles By: Stacey R. Coventry rom a full house by mid-may 5 years ago, to nearly empty adoption rooms today, we have seen a major decline in the number of pets in our shelter.

On any given day, our adoption kennels are no longer reaching full capacity, and the kennels in our cat and dog holding rooms are full of pets that truly need our help.

1 Humanely Speaking Bangor Humane Society Newsletter The Gift of Life Summer 2017 Features Fewer animals are coming through our doors, which means your donation gives special needs animals the chance they deserve The Gift of Life F Heartfelt Gratitude A Foster Tail In Every Issue From the Director Ask the Vet Paws for Thought Shelter Highlights & Upcoming Events Shelter Wish List Our Guiding Principles By: Stacey R. Coventry rom a full house by mid-may 5 years ago, to nearly empty adoption rooms today, we have seen a major decline in the number of pets in our shelter. Sorry we don t have room today, has quickly changed to where are all of your pets? On any given day, our adoption kennels are no longer reaching full capacity, and the kennels in our cat and dog holding rooms are full of pets that truly need our help. With the decline in the number of animals brought to the shelter, the effort going in to rehabilitating and rehoming the animals in our care has skyrocketed. From Kebo, a 12-year-old retriever mix who came to us in January with a plethora of health issues, to Scout, a rambunctious 2-year-old American Bulldog mix who came to us in March with some behavior issues, staff are working harder than ever to provide high quality supportive care to meet the needs of our animals. Kebo arrived at our shelter doors in January after his owners abandoned him. Despite his glass-is-half-full mentality, this goofy and friendly boy needed medical care. He showed signs of labored breathing and was covered in tumors. Staff Continued on page 5 Our Mission The Bangor Humane Society champions the humane treatment and adoption of companion animals, provides quality care for homeless pets, and promotes animal welfare through education and advocacy. Bangor Humane Society 693 Mt. Hope Ave. Bangor, ME License # F136 Visit us on Facebook! BHS is proud to feed our pets Hill s Science Diet food! Empty kennels mean that animals with special medical or behavioral needs are receiving the high quality care they deserve.

2 From the Director People often think that winter is our shelter s busiest season. But the reality is summer is the time of year when our intake skyrockets.

Our intake numbers continue to decline due to successful ongoing and diligent local and statewide spay/neuter efforts, so if you visit us these days you may find some empty

However, be assured that our holding kennels and our foster homes will be full this summer as the care required for more animals with special behavioral and medical issues

Not only are we directing resources to treat every medical condition and address every behavioral issue that comes through our door, but we are reaching out to shelters across

So this year, as we celebrate the arrival of sunshine and warmer temperatures with beach adventures and family BBQs, please don t forget about the many homeless pets that will

Thank you, A Gift that Keeps Giving Did you know you can make a tax deductible gift right online? Visit www.bangorhumane.

And, you can designate your donation in honor or in memory of a special human or four-legged companion to give a gift with special meaning!

2 2 From the Director People often think that winter is our shelter s busiest season. But the reality is summer is the time of year when our intake skyrockets. Litter after litter of kittens will be born. Dogs with various needs will come through our doors. Abandoned small animals will need placement in experienced homes. Our intake numbers continue to decline due to successful ongoing and diligent local and statewide spay/neuter efforts, so if you visit us these days you may find some empty kennels on the adoption floor. However, be assured that our holding kennels and our foster homes will be full this summer as the care required for more animals with special behavioral and medical issues continues to increase. Your donor dollars are more relevant and harder at work than ever before. Not only are we directing resources to treat every medical condition and address every behavioral issue that comes through our door, but we are reaching out to shelters across the state and country to ensure that every single one of your dollars impacts a life in need. So this year, as we celebrate the arrival of sunshine and warmer temperatures with beach adventures and family BBQs, please don t forget about the many homeless pets that will reside with us this summer. We can t do it without you. They need you. We need you. Please make a gift today. Thank you, A Gift that Keeps Giving Did you know you can make a tax deductible gift right online? Visit Online, you can set up an automatic monthly donation to make your charitable giving easier than ever! And, you can designate your donation in honor or in memory of a special human or four-legged companion to give a gift with special meaning! Hours of Operation Monday Friday: 12:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Saturday 10:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. Board of Directors Amy Faircloth, President Lani Naihe, Vice-President Buddy Angst, Treasurer Susan Reisman, Secretary Earl Black David Cloutier, DVM John Kenney Jeff Russell Bob Williams Our Staff Executive Director Suzan Prendergast Shelter Operations Manager Chris Young Director of Development & Public Relations Stacey R. Coventry Bookkepper/Office Manager Sheila Knapp Customer Service Manager Kristin Harmon Adoption Counselors Alicia, Bethany, Biz, Julia, Shelby Animal Technicians Alex, Alicia, Gabby, Krysta, Roxanne, Sam, Jami Veterinary Technician Allen Batchelder, LVT Foster Care & Volunteer Coordinator Katelyn Murphy

Featured Spotlight 3 Dear Donors, Heartfelt Gratitude A Special Thank You from our Veterinary Technician, Allen Batchelder, for BHS new LigaSure machine.

LigaSure machine. Six years ago you helped us purchase our first LigaSure machine, a surgical device that assists our veterinarians in the spaying and neutering of our shelter pets.

and had broken down beyond repair. You heeded our call and responded so generously by making a personal gift to help us replace this critical piece of equipment for our facility.

3 Featured Spotlight 3 Dear Donors, Heartfelt Gratitude A Special Thank You from our Veterinary Technician, Allen Batchelder, for BHS new LigaSure machine. On behalf of myself, our veterinary partners, the BHS staff and all of our four-legged residents, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your generosity and support in helping us purchase a new LigaSure machine. Six years ago you helped us purchase our first LigaSure machine, a surgical device that assists our veterinarians in the spaying and neutering of our shelter pets. In a recent appeal we told you that after over 12,000 surgeries in six years (more than double its normal use in a typical human medical environment) our LigaSure machine performed its last surgery and had broken down beyond repair. You heeded our call and responded so generously by making a personal gift to help us replace this critical piece of equipment for our facility. In less than two months, you helped us raise 90% of the $16,000 needed to replace this machine. Not only does this device help our veterinarians perform more effective spay/neuter surgeries, but it is also extremely efficient. Our veterinarians charge a reduced rate and work at BHS on their days off from their fulltime clinic jobs to support our mission. This machine doubles the return on their personal investment as it decreases the time it takes to perform each surgery by half, therefore allowing us to double the amount of surgeries we do in one day. Additionally, that increased efficiency means that our animals spend less time under anesthesia, which is critical for those shelter residents whose current health status poses an increased risk for surgical complications. On May 5th, our new LigaSure machine arrived. I cannot even begin to translate the joy and gratitude felt by the direct care staff and our veterinary team when we used the new and improved device for the first time. It will not only help us continue to save thousands of lives this year through spay/neuter, but also ensures that each surgery will continue to be safe and efficient for all of our shelter guests. Thank you! Sincerely,

4 Ask the Vet Q: What s the best defense against ticks this season and what do I do if I find one on my pet?

Ticks are external parasites that feed on mammals (rodents, birds, deer, dogs/cats and humans) to go through the stages of

Depending on the type of ticks they can transmit various bacteria and viruses that cause different diseases and illnesses.

Please talk with your veterinarian to find the right one for your animals based on their lifestyle.

What to do if you find a tick: Always do a thorough check on yourself and dogs when coming in from outdoors to remove ticks

If a tick has already attached it is best to use tweezers and grasp the tick s body as close to the skin as possible and pull

It is best to remove the entire tick, but sometimes the mouthparts remain in the skin, that is okay because by that time the

There is usually a raised area and a scab that will heal over time.

It is caused by a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted by the blacklegged tick, or deer tick.

There is a blood test to help diagnosis Lyme disease in dogs and they typically respond well to treatment.

Other tick-borne diseases in our area are Anaplasmosis and Erlichia caused by the blacklegged tick and the lone star tick

There is also a new virus, the Powassan virus, transmitted by the blacklegged tick and the groundhog tick that I am sure we

Ticks are active any day over 40 degrees, so make sure all spring, summer and fall you are doing tick checks on yourself and

4 4 Ask the Vet Q: What s the best defense against ticks this season and what do I do if I find one on my pet? Ticks are increasingly on everyone s minds these days with the growing threat they pose to human and animal health. Ticks are external parasites that feed on mammals (rodents, birds, deer, dogs/cats and humans) to go through the stages of their lifecycles, from larva to nymph to adult. Depending on the type of ticks they can transmit various bacteria and viruses that cause different diseases and illnesses. Prevention: There are many different types of tick preventions for dogs and cats. Please talk with your veterinarian to find the right one for your animals based on their lifestyle. Also ask about the Lyme vaccine to see if your dog would benefit from that yearly vaccination. What to do if you find a tick: Always do a thorough check on yourself and dogs when coming in from outdoors to remove ticks before they have attached. One helpful hint is to use a lint roller to help remove any loose ticks. If a tick has already attached it is best to use tweezers and grasp the tick s body as close to the skin as possible and pull upwards with a gentle, steady pressure. It is best to remove the entire tick, but sometimes the mouthparts remain in the skin, that is okay because by that time the tick is dead and does not pose a threat to your health, or your animal s health. There is usually a raised area and a scab that will heal over time. Tick-borne Illnesses: Lyme disease is probably the most common tick borne illness in our area of Maine. It is caused by a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted by the blacklegged tick, or deer tick. In dogs, the most common symptoms are swollen, painful joints, fever, and lethargy. There is a blood test to help diagnosis Lyme disease in dogs and they typically respond well to treatment. Dogs do not get the typical bullseye rash that occurs in some humans following exposure to the Lyme disease causing bacteria. Other tick-borne diseases in our area are Anaplasmosis and Erlichia caused by the blacklegged tick and the lone star tick respectfully. There is also a new virus, the Powassan virus, transmitted by the blacklegged tick and the groundhog tick that I am sure we will be hearing more about in the near future. Ticks are active any day over 40 degrees, so make sure all spring, summer and fall you are doing tick checks on yourself and your animals. If you or your pet have been bitten by a tick make sure to talk to your healthcare provider and/or veterinarian for the appropriate treatment plan. Dr. Laura Tardiff, DVM Veazie Veterinary Clinic Paws for Thought Last year, BHS distributed 532 vouchers to help low-income pet owners spay/neuter their pets. A value of $27,750! Shelter Highlights & Upcoming Events Kitten Shower Donation Drive with Foster Parent Q & A A Big thank you to Specialty Sweets for hosting three Paint and Sip nights to date to benefit us, raising almost $500 in total! Thank you to Shipyard Brewing, Ice Pik Vodka and all participating bars/ restaurants that helped make the 2nd Annual Mini Masters Pub Crawl a success, raising $1,095! Thank you to EMCC Business Law students for raising $750 and shelter supplies while raising awareness about animal abuse laws! Visit our website and Facebook for more details

With the help of shelter partner Old Dogs New Digs, a rescue that helps place senior dogs from shelters into foster care while they await adoption, we were able to find a foster home for Kebo.

5 Continued from page 1 5 worked diligently Kebo with our local veterinary partners to assess Kebo s medical condition. For months, Kebo underwent multiple vet visits that included X -Rays and surgery to remove a large tumor, while he spent his time healing at the shelter. With the help of shelter partner Old Dogs New Digs, a rescue that helps place senior dogs from shelters into foster care while they await adoption, we were able to find a foster home for Kebo. While in foster care, Kebo has been diagnosed with cancer. BHS staff knows adopting out a senior dog with cancer will be next to impossible, so fortunately for Kebo, his foster family is willing to open their hearts and home and provide hospice care until it is time to say goodbye. To date, Kebo s medical care has incurred expenses totaling over $1,000. Extending Kebo s life with supportive care wouldn't have been the case 10 years ago, or even five, when our agency resources were needed to take care of almost double the number of animals that we do now. In 2009, our total annual intake was over 5,300 animals. In 2013 that number dropped to less than 3,500. And in 2016 our intake declined to just over 2,600 animals. The ongoing decrease in our annual animal intake is attributed to the diligent statewide and local spay neuter efforts. Chris Young, Operations Manager, says that animals with special behavioral and medical needs have always made up a percentage of the animals that have come to our shelter. However, high intake numbers meant that resources, including monetary and staff time, were not available to meet the needs of animals with special needs. Therefore, in the past, those were often the ones humanely euthanized first, so healthy adoptable animals could be placed into new homes. Additionally, increased community awareness and support for pet adoption has decreased the average length of stay for our shelter guests once they transition to the adoption floor. Just five years ago, the average length of stay of an animal up for adoption was around 14 days. Today, that number has been cut in half, preventing the number of animals breaking with illnesses like upper respiratory disease during their stay in the shelter. In 2013, we created our Barn Buddies program to place cats that prefer an alternative lifestyle on farms, in barns or in warehouses. Since the program started over 50 felines have been placed into alternative homes, an option that didn t exist five years ago. A dozen more felines with special needs have been placed through our FIV and FeLV positive programs as well. Along with medical issues and cats that require alternative housing, dogs like Scout are receiving special training with local behaviorists and trainers to learn manners, redirect negative behaviors, and help set them up for success in their new homes. Over the last year we have increased our working relationships with outside trainers who have shared their expert advice to help our shelter canines become the best dogs they can be. Jason Howe of Titanium K-9 and Don Hanson and Kate Dutra of Green Acres Kennel Shop have provided our staff with invaluable knowledge. Also, onsite evaluations with Jason have helped us develop customized behavioral plans for some of our dogs. So far over 20 dogs have benefited from this program with a 95% success rate at a cost nearing $3,000. Additionally, these special canines often receive obedience training with a local trainer to facilitate a positive bond between our adopted canine and their new human. Funded by BHS, the training also helps give the new owners the tools and skills they need to help their newly adopted dogs successfully transition into their new homes, decreasing return rates. Fewer animals may be coming through our doors, but your donor dollars are working harder then ever before and saving more lives than we ever dreamed possible. Whether helping with Kebo s medical expenses or having extra funds available to provide Scout with his oneon-one behavior training, your impact has allowed us to have a higher adoption rate than ever before. Jason Howe of Titanium K-9 works with Scout, an American Bulldog residing at BHS and BHS Customer Service Manager, Kristin Harmon.

Your Donor Dollars Matter... 6 A Foster Tail By: Stacey R.

rehabilitative care and surgical recovery.

6 Your Donor Dollars Matter... 6 A Foster Tail By: Stacey R. Coventry & Katelyn Murphy Your donor dollars support a growing foster care network of 35 families who provide direct supportive care in a home environment for nearly 300 animals every single year. The needs of those placed in foster care range from orphaned kittens, pregnant moms, residents with behavioral issues to those animals requiring rehabilitative care and surgical recovery. Your donation provides our foster homes with supplies such as food, litter, and toys along with the veterinary care necessary to help our most vulnerable residents thrive. This follows the journey of a foster from shelter to foster home to forever home. Pregnant cat, Tyga, is surrendered to BHS because the owner cannot afford to care for her and her unborn litter (above left). Staff member, Gabby, checks in the pregnant cat (above right) and waits for a volunteer to pick up their newest foster (bottom).

Harper, the German Shepherd, welcomes a new litter

Within two weeks the newborns open their eyes for the

At week four, volunteers begin weighing their kittens

with their littermates and foster parents (right).

7 Harper, the German Shepherd, welcomes a new litter born in their foster home (above left). Within two weeks the newborns open their eyes for the first time (above right). At week four, volunteers begin weighing their kittens weekly to ensure they are thriving and growing steadily (bottom left). Kittens in foster care get plenty of socialization with their littermates and foster parents (right). Once kittens are 8 weeks old and weigh a full 2 pounds, they return to BHS to be spayed/neutered and placed for adoption (bottom right). 7

Shelter Wish List Summer Foster Care Edition Fancy Feast kitten wet food Clumping cat litter Miracle Nipples for syringes (on Amazon) Regular kitten bottles & nipples Kitten Milk

Fleece Blankets Cat beds & hideaways Kitten toys Our Guiding Principles Treat all animals and people with respect, dignity and integrity.

Educate and train caretakers to develop fulfilling and lifelong relationships with their companion animals. Serve as responsible stewards of our resources.

8 Shelter Wish List Summer Foster Care Edition Fancy Feast kitten wet food Clumping cat litter Miracle Nipples for syringes (on Amazon) Regular kitten bottles & nipples Kitten Milk Replacer (liquid or powder) Reusable Shopping bags Snuggle Safe microwavable pet bed (on Amazon) Electronic food scales to weigh kittens on NEW cat trees, furniture, scratching posts Fleece Blankets Cat beds & hideaways Kitten toys Our Guiding Principles Treat all animals and people with respect, dignity and integrity. Work diligently to end companion animal overpopulation by increasing awareness of spay and neuter programs. Promote adoption of physically and mentally healthy companion animals. Educate and train caretakers to develop fulfilling and lifelong relationships with their companion animals. Serve as responsible stewards of our resources. Hold ourselves to the highest standards of safety, care and cleanliness. Raise public awareness with regard to the humane treatment of all animals. Use euthanasia only as a last humane option when in the best interest of an animal. 8 Thank you for your support!

Humanely Speaking Bangor Humane Society Newsletter

Humanely Speaking Bangor Humane Society Newsletter Winter 2018 Features New Year, Your Impact Your 2017 Happy Tails You Made 2017 a Great Year Help Us Reach Our 2018 Life-Saving Goals Inside: Donor Survey